No Signal: A Powerful Protest Against Surveillance

Designer Vadym Solovyov Creates a Minimalistic Poster with a Strong Message

Born in Ukraine and currently residing in the EU, Solovyov draws on his personal experiences and the stark contrast between the two worlds he navigates. In Russia, where his family lives, freedom of speech is allowed as long as it remains silent. Private life is only permitted behind closed doors, but under constant surveillance. No Signal represents Solovyov's desire for a better world, where there is no room for "Big Brother" and where privacy is respected.

The strength of No Signal lies in its simplicity and conceptual approach. Solovyov uses symbolic and playful language to express his ideas, creating a minimalistic design that effectively communicates his protest. Using Wacom, Adobe Photoshop, and his vision, Solovyov brings his concept to life, emphasizing the importance of the main visual image and its ability to convey a powerful message.

Despite the recommendation for a white background, Solovyov intentionally chose a Tangerine Yellow background for the main visual image. This deliberate choice reflects the desire to be noticed and draws attention to the main idea of the poster. Solovyov believes that people should pay attention to the erosion of privacy and actively fight for their rights.

No Signal's interaction extends beyond the poster itself. Solovyov encourages people to share the idea and engage in discussions about the state of privacy in different countries. The poster has already resonated with individuals, such as a girl from St. Petersburg who stumbled upon Solovyov's work and requested permission to print it and hang it on her wall as a reminder to fight for privacy.

The No Signal project was conceived in 2013, during a period of intensified control and surveillance in Russia, as well as the release of secret documents by Edward Snowden. The final visual result was completed in September 2015 and will be exhibited in the ART.WHO.ART exhibition in April 2016.

Vadym Solovyov's No Signal has received recognition for its powerful message and design. It was awarded the Iron A' Design Award in 2016 in the Graphics, Illustration, and Visual Communication Design category. This prestigious award is given to designs that are well-designed, practical, and innovative, meeting professional and industrial requirements. No Signal's integration of industry best practices and competent technical characteristics contribute to a better world, fulfilling the award's criteria.

No Signal serves as a reminder to fight against the encroachment on privacy and the control of private life. Solovyov's protest through design encourages individuals to take action and protect their rights in a world where surveillance is increasingly prevalent.